Restless Prairie Girl

Okay it's time for another walk...this time in the Gulf coast city of Biloxi, Mississippi.  So follow along with me as I set off to explore this touristy town - without setting foot in one of its famous casinos.  First let's have some breakfast at McElroys because how often do I get to have fresh shrimp in my omelette.... and see a view like this......broody.... With a full tummy I then decided to do a bit of beach walking..but first I followed the unique walking path that goes under the I-10 freeway ramp and over the water.  With perfect views out to the ocean like this: Then time to walk on the beach...sadly too cold for bare feet...why do I always (okay, both times!) seem to visit this place in January...the sand is a powdery white and just meant for scrunching toes into..   And a walk on the pier... Time to sit down and have a rest and watch the screeching Sea gulls and graceful Black Skimmers.  Biloxi's lighthous...

Finally, the day came - I was set free once again!!  Off to the airport early which was a good thing...the United agent had a heck of a time checking me in. (I was unable to check in online the day before)  Good old United had changed my ticket so many times she had to do it the "old" way - whatever that was....15 minutes later...the people behind me were not amused.  I had big misgivings about this trip down south and turns out they were a bit justified - although it could have been much worse.  Many flights were being cancelled however I was lucky and mine were just delayed.  Freezing rain that morning in Houston meant flights were delayed going in and out - and being as I was going in and out of Houston...well just leave that up to your imagination. By the time I arrived in Jackson I was exhausted. So exhausted I saw a carousel with luggage going around and assumed it was my flight.  I picked up a suitcase that I was sure was mine - then I realized i...

Well now that we've said goodbye to 2013 (boo hoo...you were an AWESOME year for me!) it's time to look ahead to the empty page that is 2014. Right now I am spending it at home in minus 50C degree weather...need I say I am not impressed.  This is what -50 looks like... Okay it doesn't look much different than -20 I guess but it sure feels it - or so I assume...I have no intention of finding out!!!  However 19 more sleeps and I will be on the road again.  Three months is about the max I can stay at home and it turns out to be three months and 8 days (but who's counting? - yes I am) in between this time. On January 24th I am off to Jackson, Mississippi to walk my 29th state capital. From there I will bus it down to Biloxi, Mississippi, an area I adore from a trip there previously in 2010.  I will do a couple of walks there and in adjoining Ocean Springs - I hope to walk the Biloxi Bay Bridge as I did in 2010.  Then I hop the good old 'hound again o...

Well it's that time of year again....when you reflect on the year that has passed and look forward to the year ahead.  2013 was an awesome year travel wise - not as many trips as I normally take but then again I had two huge trips instead.  All of the best things happened to me while traveling with the exception of one...and the number one thing it turns out.... So here it goes - in no particular order until we get to the top three... #13 -  Spending a long weekend in Ottawa - with Sir Paul and friends (mine, not his!)  Ottawa was my "back-up" plan.  I always hate "just" seeing Paul once - what if he cancels?  It would be devastating.   So I always try to see two concerts per tour.   It also enabled me to see a couple of friends (well four if you include the doggies -which I do!) and take advantage of their hospitality. (Thanks Donna & Dorri!)  A free place to stay and I used airmiles...I had bought a nose bleed seat just to...

My reminiscing about our trip to the Cotswolds is not quite over yet.  Our last day in the countryside of the Cotswolds we visited the small village of Stanton which is three and a half miles south of Broadway, the base for our stay. After leaving our luggage with our B & B hosts with a promise to be back by 4 p.m. (they were leaving for the airport then) we set off on our adventure.  We walked out on the same road we had come in on the previous day and then set off through a forest - straight into puddles and mud.  Our boots were not a pretty sight and at one point I didn't think I would be able to pull my boot out of the mud!   A woman was walking on a path slightly above us with a very muddy dog who very dearly wanted to jump up on June.  Luckily June was able to restrain it and the dog's owner came over and retrieved it.  We did glean a bit of info from her in regards to the paths - we could have taken the one she was on and ended up in the same...